Amy Beller

The FY 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan for the City of Champaign outlines strategies to address affordable housing and community development needs. Key areas of focus include preserving housing infrastructure, eliminating blight, providing affordable housing options, supporting homeless services, and improving infrastructure systems. The plan prioritizes assisting low-income residents, promoting self-sufficiency, and encouraging community involvement. It allocates funds to housing rehabilitation programs, tenant-based rental assistance, public services, and slum and blight removal.

The City Council reviewed the continuation of the COVID-19 Emergency Ordinance and related emergency orders, discussing potential changes to the emergency order process and the status of current orders. The council considered the rationale behind issuing emergency orders, the process for their creation and implementation, and the review process, including the frequency of reviews and the information provided to the council. Specific emergency orders were discussed, covering topics such as the sale of alcoholic beverages, curbside pickup zones, human resources policies, license extensions, meeting attendance, and regulations for bars and restaurants. The council also considered alternatives for managing the emergency order process and the impact of the pandemic on the city's budget and staffing.

The meeting included the oath of office administration to new police personnel. The council addressed a franchise extension for Comcast, amendments to the Champaign Municipal Code regarding zoning, and approved an engineering services agreement with Farnsworth Group, Inc. for the 2022 Bituminous Overlay Project. There were also discussions on community concerns from the audience and comments from council members regarding community dialogue, support for families, police relations, and the Ubuntu Project.

The council discussed the city's cleanup efforts following Sunday's storm, including overtime hours worked by Public Works and the ongoing brush pickup. They also discussed progress on updating zoning regulations for the In-Town Zoning Districts, including issues, proposed district names, land uses, development standards, and design standards for multi-family units. Council members thanked the Planning Department, the resident working group, and citizens for their input. Concerns were raised regarding lot coverage and building footprints. The council also reflected on the services provided by the City during the storm and thanked first responders, Public Works, the City Manager, Neighborhood Services, the Red Cross, Ameren, and local businesses.

The council discussed the Boneyard Creek North Branch Improvements Status, including its beginnings, downstream flooding alleviation, upstream flooding, overall concept, phasing, and future steps. Council members asked technical questions regarding the FEMA 100-year flood map and requested the date for an upcoming study session regarding the Garden Hills drainage project. There was also a general discussion regarding other issues facing the community, the possible ramifications of delaying sections of the Boneyard Creek improvement projects, alternative uses of funds, and the importance of the Garden Hills project. Additionally, various community concerns were raised by members of the audience, and council and manager comments addressed topics such as businesses in neighborhoods, liquor stores, health and nutrition, retail stores, and community involvement.